London vs Izmir
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Izmir is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Izmir
Turkey
COL+Rent
20.2
Rent Index
8.2
Groceries
32.1
Restaurant
28.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Izmir | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $344 | +$2,159 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $226 | +$1,734 |
| Groceries | $422 | $205 | +$217 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $8 | +$20 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $20 | +$93 |
| Utilities | $258 | $49 | +$209 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Izmir |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $471/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $738/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $951/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Izmir | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $416/mo | -$1,084 |
| $2,000/mo | $554/mo | -$1,446 |
| $3,000/mo | $831/mo | -$2,169 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Izmir for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Izmir is approximately 72% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Izmir's 20.2 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $344/month in Izmir — giving Izmir a $2,159/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,908 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Izmir ($205/mo) reflect Izmir's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $8 show Izmir offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Izmir offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $738 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.